Trussville council approves paying $142,000 for archaeological study at site of stadium project

Husky Parkway in Trussville ends just past Hewitt-Trussville High School, as seen here. Plans to extend the road over the Cahaba River to where a new football stadium will be built are on temporarily on hold because of an archaeological study. The field shown here is a practice field. (al.com/Frank Couch)

TRUSSVILLE, Alabama --- The Trussville City Council tonight approved paying $142,577 for the third phase of an archaeological study at the site of a planned new football stadium for Hewitt-Trussville High School.

The Phase III study means that the stadium won't be ready in time for next season, as was initially hoped.

"I'm confident it won't be ready for next season," City Councilman Perry Cook said tonight.

The University of Alabama Office of Archaeological Research has completed two phases of the study. Researchers have determined the site contains evidence of occupation more than 2,000 years ago and a later occupation more than 1,000 years ago.

Trussville Mayor Gene Melton has said it would be up to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers whether to require a third phase before Trussville can proceed with the project.

Melton was out of town and missed tonight's meeting. City Clerk Lynn Porter said the Army Corps required Phase III in order for the project to proceed on the chosen site.

The money approved for Phase III tonight does not include the cost of excavation.

The stadium project will include the extension of Husky Parkway across the Cahaba River to the stadium site. Hewitt-Trussville High School is on Husky Parkway. The high school and stadium site are on opposite sides of the river.

In other business tonight, the council approved longevity pay bonuses for city workers. The amount depends on years of service:

--- Five to nine years: $400.

--- 10 to 14 years: $500

--- 15-19 years: $600.

--- 20 years and more: $700.

"Basically, this is just a recognition of the services that our city employees provide over the year," City Council President Brian Plant said.

The council announced that its second meeting in December was moved to Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. The council normally meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. But the fourth Tuesday in December falls on Christmas Day.